[GA] New dangerous dog ordinance in College Park

[PitBullHappenings]

New dangerous dog ordinance in College Park
10:42 PM, Jun 4, 2011



College Park, GA -- As of July 1, 2001 owners of dogs the city deems "potentially dangerous" must register their pooches and pay a $25 processing fee.

Councilman Ambrose Clay suggested the Potentially Dangerous Dog Ordinance after two brutal dog attacks last summer in his district.

"What the person has to do is go to the vet and get a chip implanted into the dog for indentification purposes. They also have to submit a photograph of the dog, and they'll be isssued a brightly colored tag that will identify it as a potentially dangerous dog," said Clay.

The city says it also wants to make sure those dog owners have insurance to cover any damage or injuries.

The new ordinance does not sit well with people like Heidi Pollyea and her group Dogs Deserve Bettter.

"Breed profiling is wrong. It targets the dog when the real problem with any canine is how the owners raise and treat it," said Pollyea.

She's also concerned putting a fee on dog owners in this economy will only lead to more animal abandonment and further crowding at area shelters.

Clay insists that once the city indenties potentially dangerous dogs and who they're owners are animal control can follow up to see that the dogs are being restrained and housed safety.

"The problem is when a dog does get loose and attacks the owners can be impossible to find and hold responsible," said Clay.

Those who don't register their dogs face fines and Clay says if animal control officers will impound their pets.

The following are breeds of dogs required to be registered in College Park:

Pit Bull

American Pit Bull Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Rottweiler

Doberman

German Shepard

http://www.11alive.com/news/article/1933...llege-Park